Reporting Non-Emergency Calls to SBPD

February 1st, 2008 by Cpl Edward Koczan


The SBPD's 24-hour number for non-emergency calls and general information is (574) 235-9201.

Crimes and suspicious activities that fall into this category are:
(a) those that don't involve serious personal injury, property damage, or property loss;
(b) ones in which there is no possibility that the suspect is still at the scene or is likely to return to the scene; and
(c) ones for which an immediate response is not needed.

If there is any doubt as to whether the situation is an emergency, it is always better to be on the safe side and call 9-1-1. The SBPD response to non-emergency calls will depend on the relative seriousness or priority of the situation, the likelihood of making an arrest at the scene, and the availability of an officer.

Response times are the longest for so-called "cold crimes" like home burglaries where the perpetrator has fled the scene, no suspects exist, and the victim is in no further danger. Cold Crimes will often generate little to no police investigative follow up, and reporting the crime with a full police report may only be necessary for personal insurance reimbursement

Some example situations that may not be emergencies are:

• Home and business burglaries in which the suspect is gone from the scene
• Open or broken doors or windows in businesses or homes, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Vacant or abandoned houses or buildings where a building check is requested
• Stolen checks and credit cards -- also call the financial institutions involved to have them stop payments of checks and verifications of charges
• Lost property, such as a wallet, cell phone, jewelry, etc.
• Impersonation and stolen identification, e.g., drivers license/SSN card, etc.
• Auto theft of and vandalisms to vehicles
• Hit and run accidents with no injuries
• Minors violating curfew
• Loud parties -- the person calling must be willing to sign a complaint
• Road hazards that don't require immediate attention
• Past instances of graffiti or other vandalism
• Past instances of child or elder abuse
• Runaway juvenile (or missing adult who does not need special care)
• Car or building alarms
• Underage drinking
• Accumulations of consumer goods, especially in good condition and not in use in homes, garages, and storage areas
  
  Also, person(s) who are:
  
• Disturbing the peace, i.e., loitering, panhandling, noise making, and harassing others
• Soliciting without a license, not displaying a valid registration card, or operating between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
• Going door-to-door, or into side or back yards in a residential area
• Loitering near a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Loitering near schools or parks
• Looking into parked vehicles
• Running other than for exercise
• Carrying property at an unusual time and place
• Entering and leaving property on daily or regular basis, or in large numbers, especially at night
• Drunk in public but not in any immediate danger
• Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms but not a danger to themselves or others
• Offering goods for sale at ridiculously low prices
• Making a quick change of vehicles

The ability of the police to locate and arrest criminals often depends on the thoroughness and accuracy of the report you submit.

The following information checklist should be used for reporting both emergency and non-emergency crimes:

• Type of crime
• Location: exact street address and nearest cross street
• Time of occurrence
• Weapons used
• Number of persons injured and types of injuries
• Vehicle information: type, license number, color, year, make, model, unusual characteristics (e.g., dents, bumper stickers), number of persons, etc.
• Suspect information: race, gender, age, height, weight, hair color, hair length and style, eye color, facial hair, clothing type and color, other characteristics (e.g., tattoos, missing teeth, scars, glasses),
• Suspect's direction of flight, etc.